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Microsoft
Microsoft announced a new research that will ask game developers about their experience with Xbox and, perhaps more importantly, about why they don't release games on the console.
Xbox Research wishes to receive "the data that'll help address pain points and enhance the experience of partners across the spectrum of disciplines involved in bringing games to market."
Usually, such research is aimed at players, but Microsoft believes game developers' voices will help advance it. Its new program has a variety of methodologies, including interviews, usability, playtesting, surveys, and flighting, tailored for developers. The collected data will be important for what Microsoft has to offer to game developers.
"It will help us figure out both what to build and how to build things well," said Deborah Hendersen, Principal User Researcher for Xbox. "What features are needed? How do we implement them gracefully? Where are our existing tools or services falling down? What can we do to improve them?"
Microsoft
Researchers will collect data from all members of game studios, not just technical staff, and, perhaps most importantly, from developers who don't bring their games to Xbox.
"If you are making video games, we're interested in hearing from you. If you aren't on Xbox, we'd love to know why. And honestly, if you are using our competitor's products, you probably have a great perspective we could learn from!"
This should help Microsoft gain new perspectives and avoid becoming an "echo chamber."
It's an important move for the company because some games, for example, Baldur's Gate 3, often launch on Xbox later than on other platforms. Not so long ago, the creators of HAAK, a Metroidvania set in a cyber-wasteland, had to cancel the Xbox release because they couldn't register a Microsoft Partner account due to numerous bugs. Hopefully, this research will help solve at least some of its issues.
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